Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Look closely in the crevices where leaves meet the stem.
- Check the undersides of the leaves for hidden pests.
- Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to see if the spots come off.
Likely causes
Mealybugs
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see white, fuzzy, cotton-like clusters in the leaf axils. The plant may look stunted or have sticky residue on the leaves.
What to do: Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and dab it directly onto the pests to kill them on contact. Repeat this every 5 to 7 days until you see no more bugs for several weeks.
Scale
RareHow to tell: Small brown or tan bumps that look like tiny shields on the leaves. They do not move and are hard to scrape off.
What to do: Scrape the bumps off gently with your fingernail or a soft brush. Wipe the leaves down with a mild soap and water solution to remove any remaining larvae.
Find out what's wrong with your gasteria
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
If the infestation covers the entire plant and the leaves are yellowing, it is a serious problem. A few isolated bugs are easy to manage with quick treatment.
Stopping it coming back
Inspect new plants before bringing them home and keep your Gasteria in a spot with good airflow. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can attract pests.
Gasteria: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your gasteria and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Will neem oil kill mealybugs on Gasteria?
- Yes, but be careful. Apply it in the evening to avoid leaf burn from the sun and test a small area first.
- Do I need to isolate my plant?
- Yes, move it away from your other plants immediately to prevent the pests from spreading.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Gasteria
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.